North Babylon, NY

The hamlet of North Babylon, originally called South Deer Park, began as an agricultural area and later blossomed into an important part of Suffolk County. Settler August Belmont purchased tracts of land on which he built mansions and bred horses, an act that attracted New Yorkers to the area. After functioning as a key logistics post during World War I, North Babylon continued to grow, but kept its small-town and rural feel.

To learn more about the Babylon area in museums, travel to the Old Village Hall Museum in neighboring Lindenhurst. After that, head to the American Air Power Museum in Farmingdale, which commemorates World War II jets.

Get a taste of art at Village Art & Frame Gallery, or live through an interactive zombie apocalypse with professional actors at Nyz Apocalypse. Head to Babylon’s town center for other events and activities year-round.

North Babylon residents take advantage of a wide variety of cuisine - from traditional American fare to Turkish - in the town of Babylon and surrounding areas. Locals can travel to certain plazas to experience the town's best restaurants and pubs, including those in the town center of Babylon and on Deer Park Avenue. North Babylonians travel to towns such as Bay Shore and Amityville for music and dancing.

Foodies in search of a general bar and grill, but one with a unique spin, go to Babylon Carriage House. There, diners enjoy a perfectly cooked skirt steak and an assortment of well-portioned salads. Make sure to order a side of truffle mac ‘n' cheese, considered one of the best dishes in town. Finish with some local dessert favorites, including pumpkin bread pudding or flourless chocolate cake.

Long Islanders craving a different type of cuisine than the standard fare head to spots such as Nazar. There, try some tender, genuine Turkish meats by ordering the kebabs or gyro. The large platters come with bread, white or brown rice, yogurt sauce, and a salad.

If you prefer Greek, go to GreeKrave up in Deer Park. Order the lamb gyro with Greek fries for a fulfilling, hearty meal. Try the Krave burrito to get the tasty lamb gyro stuffed with spinach rice and feta cheese sauce, and get the veggie gyro to taste the homemade falafel. For a taste of Babylon's craft beer selection, drive to The Villager near the town's center. Locals enjoy well-cooked pub fare and try many of the dozens of beers on tap. Residents who love wine go to Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar at night to pair tapas with their favorite alcohol. Remember to bring your own wine on Sundays.

Locals don't find many party options in North Babylon, but nearby towns and hamlets provide some venues. Go to the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts in Bay Shore for shows and performances year-round, or attend a local show in the Amityville Music Hall. Those who want to dance can stay in Bay Shore to experience The Long Island Eagle Bar & Nightclub. A quirky atmosphere complete with barbershop chairs and a license plate wall welcomes all types of people for dancing and relaxation. Special events include regular karaoke nights and a Latin fusion night once a month. Try an adult chocolate milk drizzled with extra chocolate syrup or one of the specialty vodkas.

Driving proves to be easier than walking for many North Babylon residents who have somewhere to be. While residents like to walk around parks and neighborhoods, most take a car to traverse the main roads for shopping purposes. With the Southern State Parkway and Sunrise Highway just a few minutes away, North Babylonians can easily hop onto the highway to get where they need to go.

Public transportation, especially by Suffolk County buses, serves the area well and may be a good option for those who prefer not to drive. The Long Island Rail Road does not have a stop within North Babylon, but you can drive to the center of town to catch a train.

Uber does not provide services to North Babylon, but locals can call a variety of taxis, like Best Ride Taxi. Be careful parking in large shopping and entertainment areas on Deer Park Avenue. Drivers find the rest of North Babylon an easy place to park.

Find several bicycle courses and routes throughout North Babylon for exercise. You can bike on the main roads with bike lanes, but keep an eye on the traffic on Deer Park Avenue and other streets.

Belmont Lake State Park, North Babylon’s nearest large park, draws in thousands of Babylonians each year. Both children and adults love Belmont Lake State Park for all its amenities and entertainment. Hang out near Belmont Lake and rent paddleboats in the summer, or learn to fish. Then, take your kids to the playground or walk along 7.6 miles of trails with your dog. The park even welcomes horses.

For an $8 vehicle entry fee, Babylonians and tourists can spend the day at the park. Go bird watching to spot the migrating waterfowl at certain times of year, or take a cross-country skiing trip to view the serenity of the park in the winter snow.

Belmont Lake State Park hosts festivals and events every year. Go to the park’s fishing expo to watch fishermen pull up their daily catch, or visit the Egg Hunt around Easter to pick up some chocolate eggs and other goodies with the family.

The whole Babylon area, including North Babylon, has a much higher cost of living than the national average. Though travel by bus proves to be inexpensive, with a $2 one-way fare to get into the town center, the average one-bedroom apartment carries a hefty price tag. Plan to spend an average of about $1,825 in rent on a one-bedroom apartment in North Babylon.

Expect to pay about $4 for an average beer out in North Babylon. Craft beer may cost a bit more, averaging around $6. The average price of gas in the hamlet costs 11 percent more than the national average.

Many North Babylon locals head north to Deer Park to shop at Tanger Outlets. Stop by Kay Jeweler’s, Torrid and Wilson's Leather for a variety of clothes and accessories. Locals find many high-end shopping options at Tanger Outlets, including Coach and Saks Fifth Avenue. Pick out designer handbags and shoes, or buy some perfumes before eating at the mall.

Drive to Farmingdale for high-end shopping at a local boutique, Solo Fashion New York. With unique and trendy items, women find great clothes to wear to work or at a party at this store. Stay in Farmingdale to visit A & S Novelty Company, especially if you have a wedding to plan. Get wedding favors and other cool gifts to make the reception truly special.

North Babylonians get a lot of their food from the Stop & Shop and King Kullen chains. However, a number of local and ethnic food markets serve the Babylon hamlets. Try out Stork’s Meat Market for fresh meat prepared by a butcher, and head to Sherry’s The Healthy Gourmet for vegetarian and organic items.

For more organic options, make sure to stop by Babylon in the summer to attend the Babylon Village Farmers' Market. Get empanadas, pickles, other fresh produce and organic breads to craft a great breakfast, lunch or dinner.